How To Throw A Kentucky Derby Party With Elizabeth Mayhew and Today’s Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb

Today show contributor and lifestyle expert Elizabeth Mayhew joined Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb to sharing the secret to throwing a fabulous Southern inspired Kentucky Derby party with fabulous Derby inspired decor, delicious food and drinks, DIY hats, party games and more!

Today show contributor, Elizabeth Mayhew has long been one of my favorite lifestyle editors. I’ve interviewed her multiple times over the years, and she is the authority when it comes to home decor, entertaining and lifestyle in general! The Louisville, Kentucky native stopped by the “Today” show with Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb this morning to share the secret to throwing a fab last minute Kentucky Derby party! Did you watch Elizabeth’s segment? We all know how much I love the Kentucky Derby and look forward to it every year, so to say that I now can’t wait to cut some red roses from my garden and make a festive floral inspired hat is an understatement.

During her segment, Elizabeth Mayhew dished on the secret to making a “run for the roses” red floral bouquet with silk red roses, she shared how she DIY’d some great Derby trophy inspired decor with toy horses, a chess set and my favorite – gold spray paint. When it comes to food, Elizabeth stated that a party is never complete without must have hot brown sandwich sliders (with turkey, ham, a little piece of tomato and melted cheese sauce, parmesan), a sweet tea with handmade cozies that look like jockey silks, a fabulous ladylike mint julep inspired drink that she created with the official champagne of the 141 Kentucky Derby by G.H. Mumm, vodka, lemon juice and mint. She also made some cute desserts with Nutter Butters that look like horses; and shared a fabulous Derby pie with chocolate and nuts.

Over the last month or so I’ve been dishing on the must have Kentucky Derby hats for May 2nd, but if you missed out on purchasing a gorgeous Derby inspired hat for your Kentucky Derby party, Elizabeth dished on how you can make one with a paper plate, a paper bowl, a hot glue gun, ribbon and some fake silk flowers.

Lastly, a Kentucky Derby party is never complete without games! Be sure to watch the video below to see the fun horse shoe game and Kentucky Derby horse racing game that the super talented and very creative Elizabeth Mayhew made just in time for the 141 running of the Kentucky Derby on May 2, 2015 only on NBC. For more information please visit Today.com. PS Elizabeth Mayhew’s Kentucky Derby party tips are perfect for your next Kentucky Derby inspired bridal shower or baby shower, too!

Disclaimer: I’m not affiliated in any way with the Today show, I just love featuring some of my favorite segments. For more information on how to throw a Kentucky Derby party or if you have any questions about the show, please visit Today.com. Thank you! 🙂